In the early hours of the morning at home on Friday, October 27th, with his wife holding his
hand, John Triplett passed peacefully from this world with the gentlemanly dignity that was
always his character.
John was born on February, 25, 1944 in Hereford, Texas to Roy and Elizabeth (McKenzie)
Triplett, making Lee a big sister. His early years were spent in Cimarron, New Mexico and then
Cortez, Colorado, where he graduated high school in 1962. The very next day, John began
working in what would be a lifetime of skilled trades in construction and power. The family
moved to Washington state in 1965 where John trained to work as a lineman. By 1970, John
had received his Journeyman ticket and began working on the 500 volt line at Rock Point that
spans the Columbia River. He recalled the feat of hoisting himself across the span of the
Columbia, with few safety measures in place, all by hand in what the crew called “space
buggies”.
John married Janice Ann Sitton on October 23, 1971. Their son, Johnny Roy, was born four
years later in 1975. The birth of his son was the greatest day of his life. He loved sharing his gift
of music with his boy and family and friends, which he did all through the decades.
A construction job prompted a move to Airway Heights. After a year, John was promoted to
foreman, where he oversaw a four-man crew until 1980. Another move occurred in 1981 placing
John in Ephrata with the PUD. Coulee City gained the kind hearted and gentle lineman in 1989,
and this is the position he kept until his retirement in 2004. He was known far and wide as a true
friend to all and beloved by many.
John and Barbara (Edgemon) Triplett married in 2007 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They were
able to spend 16 wonderful years together enjoying retirement, reeling in fish and feeding the
turkeys.
John was preceded in death by his infant son, Olen Ray, parents Roy and Elizabeth Triplett,
first wife Janice, sister Lee and brother-in-law Mike Haynes, and niece Debbie Haynes. He is
survived by wife Barbara Triplett, son Johnny Roy & wife Polly Triplett, granddaughter Maddy &
husband Dennis Bice and great-grandson Lane Henry, grandson Sam Triplett, nephew Roger
and Kelly Haynes, niece Diane and husband Jeff Phillips, niece Marla Schmidt, niece Ronda
and Scott Case, Christina Dress Johnson, along with Dennis, April, Callie and Jeremy Pinar of
Almira, WA. He leaves a close network of dear friends who became family.
Anyone who knew John understood that his happiest moments were on a fishing boat, in the
mountains at hunting camp or sitting around a campfire. He will be remembered with his guitar
in hand, singing songs and sharing stories. He was a proud father, grandpa and papa, and
joined the Great- Grandpa club before his passing. He was the type of man that would help
anyone whenever he could. The family wishes to thank everyone who came to their aid to help
with chores or to visit and offer encouragement when John’s health was challenged. He so
appreciated it. John made plans and decided he preferred no formal service after his death.
Instead, he recommended a barbeque, with music of course! The family plans a celebration of
life next summer. In John’s honor, any memorial funds in his name will be given as a scholarship
to a 2024 graduating ACH senior pursuing education in the trades.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.strate-funeral.com for the Triplett family. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.
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